Clio

In Greek mythology, Clio (traditionally /ˈ k l aɪ oʊ / , but now more frequently /ˈ k l iː oʊ / ; Greek: Κλειώ ), also spelled Kleio,[2] is the muse of history,[3] or in a few mythological accounts, the muse of lyre playing.[4]

Clio's name is etymologically derived from the Greek root κλέω/κλείω (meaning "to recount", "to make famous" or "to celebrate").[5][6][7] The name's traditional Latinisation is Clio,[8] but some modern systems such as the American Library Association-Library of Congress system use K to represent the original Greek kappa, and ei to represent the diphthong ει (epsilon iota), thus Kleio.

Clio, sometimes referred to as "the Proclaimer", is often represented with an open parchment scroll, a book, or a set of tablets.

Like all the muses, Clio is a daughter of Zeus and the Titaness Mnemosyne, goddess of memory. Along with her sister Muses, she is considered to dwell at either Mount Helicon or Mount Parnassos.[3] Other common locations for the Muses are Pieria in Thessaly, near to Mount Olympus.[4]

She had one son, Hyacinth, with one of several kings, in various myths—with Pierus or with king Oebalus of Sparta, or with king Amyclas,[9][10] progenitor of the people of Amyclae, dwellers about Sparta. Some sources say she is also the mother of Hymenaios.[citation needed ] Other accounts credit her as the mother of Linus, a poet who was buried at Argos, although Linus has a number of differing parents depending upon the account, including several accounts in which he is the son of Clio's sisters Urania or Calliope.[11]

In her capacity as "the proclaimer, glorifier and celebrator of history, great deeds and accomplishments,"[12]

Clio is used in the name of various modern brands, including the Clio Awards for excellence in advertising. The Cambridge University History Society is informally referred to as Clio, similarly, the Cleo of Alpha Chi society at Trinity College, Connecticut is named after the muse. Likewise, the undergraduate student outreach group for the Penn Museum at the University of Pennsylvania is known as the Clio Society. 'Clio' also represents history in some coined words in academic usage: cliometrics, cliodynamics.

Clio Bay in Antarctica is named after the muse.

Clio, Muse of History by Johannes Moreelse

Clio, the Muse of History (1632) by Artemisia Gentileschi.

The Muse Clio (c. 1689) by Pierre Mignard

The Muse Clio by Bernhard Rode

Clio, Muse of History (1800) by Charles Meynier

Car of History, a chariot clock depicting Clio, by Carlo Franzoni, 1819, in National Statuary Hall

Sculpture of Clio by Alexander Stirling Calder on the tomb of historian Henry Charles Lea